Please help me figure out my best choice for breeding this half giant CT

Ok, I think I've decided I would like to work on a giant line. I have 1 half giant CT Hades, pictured here, and need to find him a lady. I know he's not a perfect specimen, that's why I'm asking what I should look for in a lady for him. I posted two pictures because one shows his flaring and one shows his form better. I know his top line needs a little work and I think his caudal needs shortening & widening. If I'm right on that I figured I would need a HMPK female for him. Any suggestions? I don't mind being told I'm wrong, that something else needs worked on or I need to look for something else. I know it will likely take a few generations to get what I am working for. I don't mind the work and have any fry I may need to find homes for taken care of. If you think I may be over looking something please say so. I'd rather do this right or not do it at all at this point.

I've also included a picture of my 1 'king' female, Bellona, that I could breed Hades with. I don't think that would do anything but give me the giants & maybe some half giants. I'd rather start working for the end product though.

The last picture is of my 'king' male, Pan. I don't know anything of the history of Bellona or Pan. I got them both from my local pet store. They had been given to them by a lady (with 3 other females, I think a failed sorority) and sold as female bettas for $3.99. That's the extent of my knowledge. Hades I know had a giant father and a CT mother and is part of the F1 spawn. I may have which parent came from Evilog originally mixed up, but I believe the member I got him from said that he got the giants from Evilog.

I'm not trying to discourage you but I want to give you an idea of what you're facing. So I apologize if I sound negative.

Giant x regular may not carry giant genes and become half giants. Rmember, a well grown regular betta can reach the size of a rather smaller half giant. So don't get your hopes up there. It may take you many generations to get them to actual giants.

Giant x giant = if they don't have good giant genes will mostly produce offspring slightly smaller than half giants and a few half giants. And these are hard to work with as it is.
With "so so" giant genes they will produce a few giants but most will be regular . . . but looks bigger than average.
Even good giant genes won't give you 100% giants (probably 30%). Yet you have to excessively feed them to get the best results.

Are you prepared for many generations of mass feedings? And once they go into solitary, they will need more space - 3g per individual to get good growth.

Since you mentioned "end result" . . . your female and second male are too traditional for my taste. If crossed to the half CT, you will get poor fins. Too much improving is needed on them. . .

So are you up to it? . . . again, I'm sorry for being negative. But that's what you will be facing. If you are, I will support you.

I would save your self a ton of time and money and invest in a quality pair of giants. Yours are beautiful but they to me are pet quality. There are few people that I know of that actually sell giant bettas so it a good choice on your part to start breeding them. If you do not want to import check out http://www.mnbettashop.com/shipmentupdates.htm they carry giants that they imported and some of them are pretty good deals.

Indjo, I really respect you opinion and know you mean the absolute best for me and my bettas. Your words are very appreciated. You've helped me a lot since I joined the forum and I always value what you have to say. I didn't think Bellona or Pan would really have anything to offer with breeding, but since I already own them though I would post pictures on the chance I was wrong about them.

I may look into a new pair, but I know Hades comes from good genes. He may not be perfect himself, but he has quality genes to pass on. The work, possibly even years of it, does not discourage me. Neither does the mass feeding or requirement of more space. I have found that I can get another half giant from the gentleman I got Hades from, so I won't be breeding him to a regular betta. He doesn't have any from Hades family left, but he knows exactly what I had in mind to do with Hades and his line.

I agree with Indjo and Mad..another thing about MN betta shop, Tony only gets his stuff from the VERY best breeders ditto for Beeay's Bettas.

I agree.. for starting out I would go with either of those two places.. you won't spend a ton of money, but you get quality stuff. Especially just starting it out.. get a feel for breeding them before you shell out a ton of money on others you may find on AB.